J-L Class Trip Discussed
By: Bill Pinson ~ Montmorency County Tribune

At the Johannesburg-Lewiston School Board meeting Monday evening, the junior class presented a preliminary report on possible destinations for the next year senior trip. The two locations were southern California or New Orleans. They stated that after surveying the class they have approximately half of the class planning to attend the trip. They stated that after surveying the class they have approximately half of the class planning to attend the trip. They will further research costs, value and activities and report again to the board at the May meeting.

Lewiston Principal Rick Holt informed the board of the upcoming Middle School Fun Night, May 2nd for students of Johannesburg, Lewiston, Atlanta and Hillman. Also, Feeney Dodge will be a the school that day offering test drives of vehicles for parents. For every test drive the school will get a donation of five dollars. If a hundred test drives are taken, they will receive ten dollars per test drive after that.

Letters of resignation were received from teacher assistant Ron Gough and from board member Ken Sides. A motion was made on each to accept with regrets, and passed.

Since there is a school board election with two candidates running within 30 days of Sides' resignation, one candidate will take the previously vacant seat and the other likely be appointed to Sides' seat after the election.

A motion was passed to allow the use of school property for the July Fourth Celebration. The board also discussed some board training classes they will try to hold this spring.

Lewiston School gets $1,000 from PIE&G

During a recent meeting, the all-volunteer Presque Isle Electric & Gas Co-Op (PIE&G) Communities First Fund board of directors approved the following grant requests:
-Lewiston School, Lewiston: $1,000 for the Montmorency County Middle School Fun Night activity. The voluntary roundup of electric and natural gas billings of PIE&G members provides funds for grants and scholarships for use in the communities of its service area. PIE&G, with headquarters in Onaway, distributes electricity to more than 33,000 members and natural gas to more than 8,000 members in Northeastern Michigan.

Updated 3/29/08

J-L School Board approves tenures
By Bill Pinson ~ The Montmorency County Tribune

The Johannesburg-Lewiston Board of Education met March 10th for their regular meeting.

Motions were made for tenure for Rochelle Wangler and Tammy Myers, both passed unanimously. Other items on the agenda were a motion for staff leave of absence on May 2nd, which was approved. Also a bid of $3,780 from Neil's Truck Parts was accepted for a used bus.

Committee reports were presented by each of the three school principals. Mr. Kearney announced that the Michigan Merit exams would be taking place this week. He also informed the board that they will have to look into determining a minimum score for the Michigan Merit Curriculum since the state will not be setting the qualification score for a student to receive credit. Mr. Holt reported on school improvement, a tenure recommendation for later in the meeting, and upcoming events on the school calendar.

Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf congratulated the girls basketball team on a great run in the tournaments and also commented on a letter received from a Suttons Bay citizen on the great behavior of the students and fans at the tournament game. He also commented on the January state revenue report that will be due in May. Mr. Hilgendorf said that the Camp Wolverine trip was a success and received compliments on the kids and the high school counselors from
the folks at camp.

The next board meeting will be Monday, April 21st
at 7:30 p.m. in Lewiston.

Updated 3/12/08
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J-L School Board Report
By Bill Pinson - Montmorency County Tribune

The Johannesburg-Lewiston school board met for their regular meeting scheduled February 11th at the Lewiston School. A full board was in attendance and a variety of items were discussed.

High School Principal Mr. Kearney presented the board with a report on the 2008-09 school schedule along with the block scheduling and proposed changes. The computer literacy class will go from a one-semester course to a full year course. Michigan Merit curriculum requires an online learning experience. Physical education will be a required course; two years of sports will not meet with the state requirements next year, Physical education will be a semester and then students will have a semester of health, common with many school systems. High school math classes will see a few changes also; Algebra will be offered in two parts. 9th and 10th grade; and geometry eleventh grade and Algebra II for student's senior year. This would fulfill the Michigan requirement of a math class each year. Also presented by Mr. Kearney was a discussion of the block scheduling. He showed comparison to other schools in the area with and without block scheduling then talked about the pros and cons of block scheduling, along with opinions of parents and students and staff.

Media/Curriculum Director Linda Arbogast informed the board about the addition to the high school library of a few more high school level books for the students. Also, she stated she has quite a few boys that have taken an interest in western stories and is looking for some Louis L' Amour novels to add to the library. The MEAP reports have not been released to the press so she could not elaborate on that subject. Curriculum meetings continue to be done with the school teachers, discussing changes in state requirements and objectives the schools want to meet. The third and fourth grade classes will face the most changes in state requirements for the upcoming year.

The high school and elementary principals presented various reports to the board. Mr. Kearney announced that there are 42 seniors on track to graduate this year. Taylor Ollanketo and Melissa Vanoverbeke were named Valedictorian and Salutatorian respectively. Mr. Hausbeck commented on the 7th grade exploratory class that was learning about media, starting out with newspapers and working into broadcasting and a trip to TV 9 and 10 studios and the great learning experience they had touring the facilities. Mr. Holt announced that the school improvement team met last Thursday and will meet next Thursday.

Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf announced that the school has taken possession of a new school bus for the the fleet. He also discussed Michigan House Bill 4042 that would raise the mandatory age from 16 to 18 years old.

There are two candidates for the upcoming school board election, Ursula Owens and Greg Arbogast.

Items for action at the meeting were a 12-month custodial recommendation. A motion to grant Faye Erving the position was made and passed.

Ballot language was the other item for action on the agenda. Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf explained after further reviews of the two possible language passages, it was their recommendation to go with the second proposal language for the restoration of the Headlee rollback. This ballot language is written for 18.5 mills which would allow for future rollbacks, but only allow up to 18 mills to be levied. This would allow them a buffer for possible future Headlee with having to hold an election to make up the difference in operating cost. The motion passed for the wording the 18.5 mills but not to exceed 18 mills levied.

The meeting adjourned and the next scheduled meeting will be Monday, March 10th at 7:30 p.m. in Johannesburg.

Updated 2/14/08
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J-L School Board report
By: Carol Young - Montmorency County Tribune

The Johannesburg-Lewiston Board of Education met Monday evening and handed a number of routine matters. The 2007-2008 budget was amended, with projected revenues being reduced from $7,482,528 to $7,464,208 and expenditures reduced from estimated $7,848,597 to $7,398,311. These figures will be reviewed later in the year, with changes made for unexpected expenses and cost of winter fuel. A routine winter maintenance contract with the county was approved, and a maternity leave was granted for Mrs. Bordeau.

Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf reported that State Representative Elsenheimer will be at the Old Depot Restaurant in Johannesburg this Friday at 8:00 a.m. Everyone is welcome to stop by and meet him.

High school principal Wil Kearney informed the board that Explorer and Plan tests are being given to freshman level college tests. Also, the Merit tests will be held at the township hall in March.

The school is sponsoring a fundraiser lasagna dinner for Ken Galloway and his family Sunday, December 16, from noon until 4:00 p.m. at the Fifty Plus Club. Mr. Galloway was severely injured in a logging accident recently. He is the father of three children that attend Lewiston School. Anyone having questions about the dinner or wishing to make a donation may contact John Coultier at 989-858-3859. The school staff has also been providing dinner for the family several evenings each week.

At the board's request, Linda Arbogast attempted to explain how the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and state report card grades are attained. The Michigan Report Card is a grade given to the school by the state, and AYP is from the federal government through the No Child Left Behind program. All schools must be 100 percent proficient by the year 2015 in order to continue to receive federal funding. This method of attaining these scores is extremely complicated. Arbogast reported that a school can have a better score that previous year and still get a lower grade. The tests don't look at individual classes. They tell the health of the school but don't help on a day to day basis and don't tell where help is needed. To date, the local schools have made AYP and attained A or B scores every year. "We did well; we're fine," said Arbogast. "We just keep plugging away."

Christmas programs will be held at the Lewiston School on Thursday, December 13 at 6:30 p.m. and at the Johannesburg school on Wednesday, December 12 at 6:30 p.m., and the band concert will be held at the Johannesburg school Monday, December 17th at 7:00 p.m.

The parents of Rich Fierens have made a $1,000 donation to the Lewiston Middle School Odyssey of the Mind (OM) program. Fierens was a member the OM program a number of years ago and was greatly influenced by OM. He was proud that his team traveled to the world competition. Rich served with the Army National Guard in Iraq for a year and was currently studying law at Eastern Michigan University. He was killed last summer in a rollover accident. The board extended thanks to his parents, Jack and Debbi, for the most generous donation in their son's memory.

Updated 12/16/07
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J-L teachers ratify 3-year agreement
By Jil Schult, Staff Writer - Gaylord Herald Times

JOHANNESBURG — Johannesburg-Lewiston (J-L) board of education signed a three-year contract with the Johannesburg-Lewiston Education Association (JLEA) Monday, Nov. 12.

According to J-L Supt. Jim Hilgendorf, the contract had been tentatively agreed upon in August.

The contract includes:
• A three-year agreement which expires on June 30, 2010;

• A continuation of the current Choices II PPO insurance policy provided through MESSA (Michigan Education Special Services Association);

• A 1.1 percent off-schedule increase per year; and,

• A 1 percent longevity payment beginning in the 28th year  and continuing each year after of employment in the district. According to Hilgendorf, both he and JLEA President Cyndie Kievit agreed that the contract was a good compromise in difficult economic times for the state.

The school board ratified the contract during the September board meeting and JLEA ratified the agreement in October.

The agreement for the 2006-07 school year was signed in January following a 10-month negotiation process.

Teachers had been working under 2006-07 contract.

Updated 11/24/07
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J-L Students host Veterans Day appreciation day
Gaylord Herald Times

JOHANNESBURG - Johannesburg and Lewiston Middle School students saluted area veterans and the ladies auxiliaries from VFW post No. 6335 and American Legion Post No. 198 at a Veterans Day appreciation ceremony Monday.

Patty DuBois, Johannesburg Middle School history instructor and event co-organizer, reported Student Council members hosted a lunch for more than 60 veterans and auxiliary members.

DuBois thanked the many volunteers who made the event possible. Including Tracy Loviska, middle school student council advisor, and Deb Mitchell, head cook at Johannesburg School.

After lunch, Lewiston School students, kindergarten through eighth grade, joined the Johannesburg students in the gymnasium for a tribute to the veterans.

Veterans from World War II, the Korean War, Desert Storm, Vietnam and Iraq were represented during the event. The high school band, led by band director Dawna Jarve, played patriotic songs for the occasion.

Updated 11/14/07
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J-L School improvement goals discussed
By: Jim Young - The Montmorency County Tribune

Curriculum Director Linda Arbogast spoke to the Johannesburg-Lewiston School Board about the District School Improvement Committee's revised goals. The three goals set forth by the committee are: improve student academic achievement; increase career awareness and career preparation experiences; and improve communication with community, parents, staff and students.

Arbogast noted that the school district is already achieving some of the goals set forth by the committee regarding academic success. The district has made Adequate Yearly Progress the past few years, and a B rating on the Education Yes! state report card. Other academic goals include reporting student GPA and attendance numbers to the administrative team on a quarterly basis.

In other business:

*The school district's state funding will increase by $86 per student next year. According to Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf, an additional $33 per student for transportation costs in rural districts was removed by the governor with a line item veto. The school's budget had been tentatively calculated with a $100 per student increase in mind, so some adjustments will be necessary to balance the budget for next year.

*Rich Sumampow was approved as the new JV girls basketball coach.

*The annual summer tax resolution was passed, authorizing the district to levy the school tax next summer. The switch to summer tax collection saved the school some money last year, as they did not have to borrow to resolve cash flow issues.

*Snow plowing bids were approved for Lake Point Construction in Johannesburg and Bear Lake Services in Lewiston.

Updated 11/14/07
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J-L Board hears positive reports
By: Tom Young - The Montmorency County Tribune

Student enrollment steady at Johannesburg-Lewiston
By: Tom Young ~ Montmorency County Tribune 9/12/07

Student enrollment the first week of school at Johannesburg-Lewiston Schools appears to be holding steady. Superintendent Jim Hilgendorf reported to the school board Monday night that total enrollment was at 854. That compares to the 857 count last fall and an 851 count in February.

Lewiston Principal Rick Holt reported an enrollment of 365, and some adjustments in class assignments were made to accommodate higher numbers in certain grades. Johannesburg Elementary Principal said his numbers were close, but not quite what he expected, and high school Principal Will Kearney reported enrollment of 227 in the upper grades.

Mary Vratanina, superintendent of the Cheboygan Otsego Presque Isle Educational Service District attended the board meeting, making her rounds of the ten districts she serves. She gave an update on the school aid package, still pending in the legislature, but with state revenues unknown, it is "based in fantasy," she commented. The latest idea in saving money in education is in creating "shared services" among districts, and her organization will be looking at some opportunities to do that.

Linda Arbogast, media and curriculum director, noted that updating the social studies, science and English/language arts is now in progress, and there are changes in the math curriculum coming, also. Kearney gave an update on various test scores and how current J-L students compared to other districts and previous years.

The board welcomed new band director Dawna Jarve, and family and consumer science teacher Amy Harjala, who had taught at J-L previously, went elsewhere, and has now returned. The board granted tenure to first and second grade teacher Donna Yohe. They granted medical leave for Dana Crudo and maternity leave for Ann Hampton; both are math teachers.

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Updated 9/13/07

Schools get report cards
By Michael Jones & Jil Schult, Staff Writers - Gaylord Herald Times

OTSEGO COUNTY —  Test results for high school students who took the Michigan Educational Assessment Program (MEAP) test earlier this year were, in general, near or above state averages in reading and writing.

This was the last year for high school students to take the MEAP which has been replaced by the Michigan Merit Exam (MME).

Students at Johannesburg-Lewiston (J-L) Area Schools did exceptionally well on the Social Studies test with 90.9-percent having met or exceeded Michigan standards, compared to the state average of 77.9 percent.

“We made changes based on the state’s benchmark,” said Linda Arbogast, J-L director of media and curriculum coordination of the elevated Social Studies score. “We’re also changing when were offering it — putting more focus on ninth and 10th grade.”

Arbogast reported math will be a focal point and English/Language Arts changes are already in place for this year’s curriculum.

“We are pleased with the 2007 results, especially science and Social Studies,” she added. “It validated our process.”

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Updated 9/2/07